(Reuters) - Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie edged closer to a record third Qatar Open title after taming the trademark winds of the Doha course to card a third round 70 that put him two strokes clear on Friday.
Lawrie, who lifted the trophy in 1999 and 2012, moved to 13 under par, ahead of Branden Grace, who is bidding to be the first player to successfully defend the title, and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen, who are tied in second.
The winds were the strongest they had been all week, but Lawrie stayed consistent throughout his round, with birdies at the 14th and 18th holes.